Make every effort to add to your faith. – 2 Peter 1:5 (2 Peter 1:5-11)
A good many be faithful ter thar ideas ’bout tha Son, but only a few actually be faithful ter tha Son. In our moments of questioning, tha Son asks, “Do ya want ter leave too?” (John 6:66-68) Faith be not committed ter facts. Faith be committed ter a person.
If we want ter be close as a soul mate with tha Son, it ‘ill mean refusing ter do or even think certain things. Think on tha character of tha Son and seek his qualities. If ya lack even one, ya be near-sighted and blind. Clean yer specs. Clean yer mind. Be washed clean in tha blood of tha Son. Thar kin be no higher honor than ter stand tha midnight watch with tha Son while ya await his rising.
Now if ya count yer self as a mate with tha Son, then make yer calling sure and secure and add ter yer faith:
Goodness
Self control
Perseverance
A likeness ter Skipper
Brotherly kindness
Love
Such qualities be tha stripes of them who sail with Skip. Do this and ya ‘ill be effective and productive in all ya do.
If ya sail with tha Son, ya ‘ill be regarded as a daydreamer and worse. But ya ‘ill also be called his friend, brother-sister, and disciple. And thar kin be no greater honor than that.
Escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. – 2 Peter 1:4 (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Through tha knowledge of Skipper, he ‘as called us by his own glory. Think on that a wee bit. Of all tha folks Skip could ‘ave called ter be in his crew, he called us. Now fer we go thinking it be because we got special skills and experience and ‘ave tha right heart and all, keep this in mind: nary a feller or lass ‘ill ever measure up ter Skip’s standards. All who ever tried ter live up ter his Code of Conduct kin attest ter that fact. So when Skip calls us, it be by his own glory and fer his own glory. Skip counts us a glorious. Whatever ya done in tha past, that be behind ya. Skip only sees ya as glorious and worthy ter be in his crew. Live in that glory.
Through tha knowledge of Skipper, he ‘as called us in ter his goodness. Think on that a wee bit. All sorts of folks think they know what goodness looks like, but Skip be the standard of goodness. When he called us in ter his goodness we shed our ideas of good and take on his. If we not be sure what Skip’s goodness looks like, we only need ter study his Code of Conduct and tha life of his Son when he walked on land as a lubber. None be good except Skip. Make it yer task ter study his ways. Then ask his Holy Ghost of Truth ter change ya in ter tha goodness of Skip. If he ‘as called ya in ter his goodness, he ‘ill exchange yer badness fer his goodness.
Through tha knowledge of Skipper, he ‘as called us in called us ter escape tha corruption in tha world. Think on that a wee bit. While others be dishonest or fraudulent or conduct themselves in ways that chase power, often involving bribes and coercion, them in Skip’s crew be acting with integrity, pure thoughts, and dealing in honest words and deeds. Deceit and manipulation be tha birth mates of then who change words and expressions ter mean a thing not intended in its original use. Ya see this all tha time with some folks. They ‘ill twist Skip’s words, or tha words of upright folks in a way tha be erroneous or perverted. Make it yer tasks ter read tha water, watch tha weather, scan tha horizon, and stear clear of tha snares of such folks who be under tha power of tha devil. Tha devil rules tha kingdom of tha air—squalls, storms, calms, all manner of winds that make it hard ter keep on course—but Skip commands them who be sailing in his fleet.We kin not control ill winds but with Skip’s strength, stamina, and Spirit we kin control how we respond ter ill winds
Through tha knowledge of Skipper, he ‘as called us ter reject evil desires. Think on that a wee bit. Skip ‘as given us that power ter reject both evil and tha desire fer evil. Tha devil ‘ill try ter trick us in ter thinking we doth not ‘ave any control over our desires of tha flesh or evil thoughts. Don’ ya believe it. Many a mate ‘as lost thar soul ter Davy Jones fer believing that lying scoundrel and his pack of fibs. Once ya sign on with Skip ya ‘ave tha power to reject evil. Not on yer on, mind ya, but when ya reject evil in tha name of and under tha authority of the Son, tha devil and his horde of demons hast ter flee. They got no choice.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. – 2 Peter 1:3 (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Through tha knowledge of Skipper, he gives us his divine power. Think on that a wee bit. Skip gives those in his crew tha power ter (Matthew 10:8) cast out demons, heal tha sick, raise the dead, (2 Chronicles 7:13-22) shut up the heavens so that thar be no rain, command pests ter devour tha land and send plagues among folks.
Now this power not be fer our benefit but fer tha glory of Skip in order that all ‘ill turn and be saved of thar sins. Some get healed and kin not stop talking ’bout what a miracle Skip did in thar life. Others get heal, then shrug like it no big deal ter get back thar sight, hearing, or be able ter walk and run. Regardless, tha transformation be a display of Skip’s power working through his crew.
Through tha knowledge of Skipper, he gives us his likeness. Think on that a wee bit. Skip gives those in his crew tha ability ter look like him. Now Skip be spirit and all folks be made in his image, so tha likeness Peter be professing here be of a kind that reflects tha character of Skip, not his physical appearance.
Ter be sure, most folks ‘ave a bit of Skip’s character in ’em. Skip be love. If a feller be able ter love his neighbor, that be tha result of Skip’s likeness working in him. Tha knowledge of Skipper that gives us his likeness be of a sort that shows humility, a willingness ter help others, ter serve others, ter sacrifice our comfort, our desires, our position fer tha benefit of others. This be what tha Son did when he left his post in heaven and allowed himself ter be bound in tha body of a man and get kilt fer us. Only a feller or lass who be filled up true with Skip’s Holy Ghost of Truth kin carry on in the full likeness of Skip. And yet, this be ours if only we ‘ill ask Skipper and submit ter tha work of his Holy Ghost of Truth.
Through tha knowledge of Skipper, he gives us ever thing we need fer life. Think on that a wee bit. Skip gives those in his crew ever thing we need fer carrying out tha tasks assigned ter us. Oh at first it may not seem like we have ever tool fer tha task. In fact, thar be times when it appears we hain’t nary got a pot ter boil in. But if ya truly be in Skip’s crew, he ‘ill always give ya jest what ya need at tha right time ter get tha work done. Problem be, what we think we need and what Skip knows we need often be ‘as far apart as tha east is from tha west. Folks tend ter fixate on things. Skip fixates on faith. Them who gots faith in Skipper ‘ill always have enough and more.
We ‘ave Skipper’s divine power: not fer our benefit, but fer others. We ‘ave Skipper’s divine likeness: not so we kin boast ’bout our self, but so we kin boast ’bout Skip and his love. We ‘ave Skipper’s cargo fer carrying out ever task while we sail through this life.
Skipper’s holy spirit of truth be another name fer skipper working and living in folks here and now. When ya be born again with Skipper’s Holy Ghost of Truth ya received tha very life of tha risen Son himself. Our new-born destiny be ter bring many as we kin in ter Skip’s crew. (Hebrews 2:10). Fulfilling yer destiny brings glory ter Skip, a smile on yer face, and joy ter them who be rescued from tha sea of sin.
Make it yer task ter keep watch at all times in all sorts of weather so ya kin toss a line ter them lost on tha dark and stormy seas of life.
Through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ we have received a precious faith. –2 Peter 1:1 (2 Peter 1:1-2)
Through tha righteousness of Skipper we ‘ave received a precious faith. Think on that a wee bit. Tha faith ya ‘ave be a thing that come ter ya from Skip, not of yer own doing. It be Skip who give ya tha faith ter hang with him through squalls and fair winds, dead calms and dead-of-night watches. Ne’re go thinking ya ginned up tha faith ya ‘ave be from yer own doing. Like all such blessings, yer faith come from tha storehouse of Skip’s righteousness.
Through tha righteousness of tha Son we receive Skipper’s very great and precious promises. Think on that a wee bit. Tha very promises of Skip which his holy people counted as better than any treasure a feller could find, now be ours. In Skip’s Code be all manner of promises. Some ‘as conditions and all promises be under tha authority of Skip. But like new found treasure chest desperate mates stumbled upon on a beach, tha great and powerful promises of Skip be ours. Like all such blessings, these promises come from tha storehouse of Skip’s righteousness.
Through tha knowledge of Skipper, his grace be ours in abundance. Think on that a wee bit. Tha grace we receive when we come up a little short of tha mark be from Skip. It be Skip who covers our tab when our pockets hold nothing but sand and shells. Like all such blessings, this grace comes from tha storehouse of Skip’s righteousness.
Through tha knowledge of tha Son, his peace be yers in abundance. Peace be cargo a good many seek but only a few find. Why I dare say most folks live with a good deal of angst. Fact be, them who be in Skip ‘ill often ‘ave a sort of peace about ’em that other folks kin not understand. When tough times come, when pain beats down a soul, when tha youngins run off with tha wrong crew, them who be in Skip ‘ill ‘ave a sort of calm none other kin claim. It be like standing on tha helm with a smile on yer face whilsts a hurricane bears down. A peace like this kin only come from Skip. Like all such blessings, this peace comes from tha storehouse of Skip’s righteousness.
Skip’s faith
Skip’s promises
Skip’s grace
Skip’s peace
All this be ours fer simply signing on as Skipper’s crew. Most lubbers on land and sea kin never figure out how come it is that them in Skip’s fleet hold him and tha Son in such high regard. Such loyalty be a holy miracle passed ter us from Skip.
Holy and precious be this treasure. Such a find be a thing ter die fer and we ‘ave it without so much as shedding a drop of blood. Tha Son took care of that.
Make it yer task ter live out yer faith, stand on Skip’s promises, show Skip’s grace ter all, and as much as it depends on ya, be at peace with all fellers and lasses through Skip’s glorious power.
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” – Luke 24:36 (Luke 24:36-49)
Help With Our Fear
Hours after certain women told strange tales ’bout going ter anoint tha Son’s body, his disciples–and we now be counted as such–still be talking ’bout his empty tomb. No body. No clue as ter whar it went or who took it. Peter and tha tutters be scared and frightened. After all, soldiers beat tha Son ter a pulp and nailed him ter tha mast like a common criminal. Had we been thar, no doubt we be trembling with fear, too. Then while we all be talking ’bout this, tha Son be standing among us saying, “Peace be with you.” Right then tha Son helps us get shed of our worst fears–even and especially our fear of death.
Help With Our Doubts
“Why ya be troubled,” tha Son asked. “Why doth doubts rise in yer minds?” Tha better question might be: who in thar right mind would not be scared and ‘ave doubts ’bout tha Son’s promise that he would rise from tha grave? But here he be, standing before us and holding out his hands with tha nail holes in his wrists. Looking down we stare at his feet that show whar tha spikes left holes wide as a thumb in his flesh. Kin still see some bone, we kin. Then, like any feller after three days of not eating, he says, “I be hungry. ‘Ave ya anything ter eat?” Right then tha Son takes away all our doubts while he offers ter sup and sip with us.
Doubts Become Joy With Amazement
Only because tha thing we be seeing, hearing, touching be ter good ter be true, now we ‘ave a different sort of doubt: a doubt of disbelief that comes from joy and amazement. Right then tha Son turns our worry and wonder in ter worship.
Closed Minds Ter Open Minds Ter Minds Filled With Understanding
Now he opens our minds so we kin understand tha Law, tha Prophets, tha Psalms. He points ter tha Scriptures and says, “Right cheer? This be ’bout me. And here? Me, again. Over in this part? Me, me, me.” Right then Skipper’s words come alive, causing our hearts ter burn within us.
Only now that tha Son ‘as had his fill of fish and bread and we now know fer certain that them who go ter Davy Jones kin come back from that grave, tha Son leads us, blesses us, and leaves us.
Off we go worshipping tha Son. Off we go as directed. Off we go with great joy in our hearts. Off we go ter share what we ‘ave seen and heard. Off we go ter praise Skipper fer destroying sin and death.
Today be a new day, a new way of seeing things. And we ‘ill never see another day tha same way ever agin.
For the sake of the elect those [last days] days will be shortened. False messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.- Matthew 24:22, 24
“The elect. . . “ that be you. Not that ya ‘ave been elected but that ya ‘ave elected Skipper as yer captain.
A great many fellers trip up over what tha Son means when he says “tha elect” and have tha opinion Skipper be picking and choosing who be in his crew. But it not be Skipper’s character ter pick some and not others. Skipper wants all folks ter be rescued from thar sinful life and to come ter a knowledge of tha truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)
Aboard a pirate ship a crew ‘ill “elect” a captain. They ‘ill “choose” who ‘ill command tha ship. Tha crew places thar trust in that mate with tha confidence that he or she ‘ill keep him safe and bring ‘em safely ter port: hopefully what tha hold stuffed with prized cargo.
Same goes fer Skipper and those who be saved through his Son. Folks choose and Skip chooses. These be tha “elect” of Skipper.
Tha Greek word fer “elect” be “eklektos” “ἐκλεκτός, ή, όν”. When writing ter tha church in Ephesus tha Apostle Paul wrote that Skipper “chose us.” Tha Greek word fer “chose us” be “ἐξελέξατο ἡμᾶς” (Ephesians 1:4)
(We) elect: “ἐκλεκτός, ή, όν”
He chose: “ἐξελέξατο ἡμᾶς”
Near ’bout tha same phrase but not exactly.
Tha electing and choosing be like a couple falling in love. Who picks who first? Doth ya say in yer heart “she be tha one” before she says in her heart “he be tha one?” Are ya together when this revelation comes ter both of ya? Or doth it happen in secret, whilst ya two be off ter yer self alone? Ter be sure, sometimes a couple ‘ill know at first sight. Most times, though, thar be tha courting stage whar ya be getting ter know each other. Then in her heart she ‘ill elect ter be with him. He, in his heart, ‘ill choose her.
Be not getting in ter squabbles ‘bout who Skipper elects and chooses. Such talk be divisive and diverts folks from tha main point. In his heart Skipper ‘as already picked ya. He loves ya. Loves all folks. Only because he be Skipper and sees what lies over tha horizon, he already knows who ‘ill elect ter love him.
Now as ter tha warning from tha Son, his point be this: Even them who elect ter love Skipper ‘ill be tempted ter follow lying spirits and turn away from tha Truth. They ‘ill not betray tha love of Skipper, but tha deception in them days ‘ill be great.
Near ‘bout all relationships ‘ave such trials. Heads turn, eyes look, minds think on what could be . . . but while others run off ter serve tha devil and tha little gods he erects, tha elect ‘ill stick with Skipper.
If ya ‘ave fallen in love with Skipper and elected ter spend all eternity with him, then ya ‘ave no need ter worry. He ‘ill ne’er cast yer aside. All who be Skipper’s and in tha Son ‘ill never be lost, of this ya kin be sure. (John 6:39).
Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove – Matthew 3:16
Tha Holy Ghost of Truth comes ter us with both force and tha touch of a birds feather. Heaven be torn open on our account. It be like a hole carved in a starless night sky when a dot of light shines through. That light grows brighter as tha hole widens until its brilliance settles on ya. Though ya kin not feel tha light, ya know it be on ya.
John baptized his first cousin Jesus in a river. Wharn’t nothing special ‘bout tha water. Any old creek or pond would ‘ave suited tha purpose. It be tha source of tha Spirt that gave Jesus heavenly power.
Thar be all manner of spirits roaming about and any one of them kin alight on a feller.
One of tha first spirits ya find at work in tha world be that spirit of doubt. This be tha one tha devil laid on Eve in that Garden. Ya kin always tell tha spirit of doubt ‘cause it speaks tha phrase “if God” followed soon after with “then why?” Fer example:
“If Skipper be real, why thar be evil?”
“If Skipper loves us, how come he lets bad things happen?”
“If Skipper be all powerful, how come he didn’t heal (fill in tha blank) ?”
“If Skipper be real how come he didn’t answer my prayer?”
“If Skipper be perfect how come I be tha way I am?”
Once tha devil plants tha spirit of doubt in us, we take holt and make all sorts of excuses fer why Skipper not be real and powerful and all loving and such.
When ya hear “If God . . . then why?” that be tha spirit of doubt speaking, yer may lay ter that.
Tha disciple Thomas suffered from tha spirit of doubt. (John 20:25) Our close friends might have a spirit of doubt.
Tha crowds that followed tha Son suffered from tha spirit of doubt. (John 6:30) Them in our community might have a spirit of doubt.
Tha Son’s neighbors suffered from tha spirit of doubt. (John 4:48) Our neighbors might have a spirit of doubt.
Tha Pharisees and teachers of Law suffered from tha spirit of doubt. (Matthew 12:38-40) Tha leaders, teachers, and preachers in our church might have a spirit of doubt.
Tha Son’s own brothers suffered from tha spirit of doubt. (John 7:5) Them in our family might have a spirit of doubt.
If ya ever hear a feller write or say or preach that doubting tha Son and Skipper be a good thing, run from that teaching fast as ya kin. Feller who promotes doubt and encourages folks ter question tha authority of Skipper, his words, and his perfect plan fer salvation be doing tha devil’s work, ya may lay ter that.
Be baptized with water.
Be baptized with Skipper’s Holy Ghost of Truth.
And if ya be baptized but still doubt, then ya kin be sure thar be a spirt of doubt oppressing ya. Cast it out by getting in ter Skipper’s word. When ya read Skipper’s Code of Conduct, tha Holy Ghost of Truth ‘ill battle against tha spirit of doubt. “Truly I tell you,” says tha Son, “if you have faith and do not doubt, it will be done.” (Matthew 21:21)
Fear be tha descendent of doubt.
Faith be tha descendent of belief.
Ya reap what ya sow.
Sow belief in Skip and his words and ya ‘ill be able ter live without fear of what man kin do ter ya, of this ya kin be sure.
